Symptoms and Help for Those With PTSD

The news this past week has been full of talk, almost nonstop, on the craziness going on in this world between China, North Korea, Russia, Syria and of course the United States. We can talk it to death but what good is it doing anyone except, for many, upsetting. This nonstop negative news is so depressing and hurtful to many people.

I am sure many of you are wondering what the hell I am trying to get at. We have many veterans in this country suffering from PTSD but we also have many victims of violent crimes, abused women and even children suffering from PTSD and some may not even know it.

First off, what is PTSD? PTSD is a mental health disorder. What can cause PTSD? Some people develop PTSD after they experience a life threating event such as being in combat, the noises of the missiles, the horrors that play out in front of our military can attribute to PTSD for many veterans. For others, living through a natural disaster and again being a witness to all the horrors that unfold during that time, being a bad car accident, a sexual assault, being mugged, or abused by your spouse. So you see there are many reasons people can and do develop PTSD.

PTSD isn’t cut and dry. There are different types of it and people need to be made aware so they can help those they love who may not realize they need it. Most of us are aware of a form of PTSD in which a person relives the traumatic experiences they have gone through be it through nightmares, flashbacks, or a trigger. A flashback, as we all know, is when a person feels as if they are going through the same trauma again and again. A trigger is different. A trigger could be caused by something you hear, see, or even smell that can cause a person to begin to relive their nightmare once more. Watching a news report, seeing an accident, even hearing a car backfire are just some triggers.

Then there are those who avoid situations that could remind them of what they went through. They block themselves off from others to avoid any situation that can present a trigger memory of their trauma. They even avoid talking to people and push the thought of the incident as far back in their mind as they can. Almost like filing it away and locking it up in a top secret compartment so they don’t have to face it unless absolutely necessary. They avoid crowds, if possible will work from home. If it is someone who was in a car accident they may avoid driving. A person who has been in a natural disaster may avoid watching anything, news reports, movies, or reading about any type of natural disaster so as not to relive what they went through. In order to keep their mind off of it they may find it necessary to keep themselves busy from sunup to sundown as long as they don’t have to think or talk about it.

Some people who were once positive start to show signs of negativity. Maybe they start to have changes in their beliefs and even feelings. A person who was always full of self-esteem may suddenly start to see themselves in a different light. Other things that may change are your feelings towards other people, the inability to trust or even love someone because you would prefer to keep your distance and stay away from relationships as your way of protecting yourself. Some people tend to forget parts of the experience they went through or even if they remember it find they cannot talk about it. The world you once felt safe and secure in is now dark and dangerous to the point of you feeling alone because you feel there is no one you can trust but yourself.

Another form of PTSD is to feel anxiety, jittery, nervous, maybe even have anxiety attacks and feel as if you are being watched. As if danger lurks in every corner. You become irritable for no apparent reason and have a hard time sleeping, concentrating, startled by loud noises and not like being surprised. You may also feel it necessary when out to have your back against the wall so you can see who is coming and going from the room you are in. This way you know what is going on around you.

It’s not the same for everyone but PTSD usually will start just after a traumatic experience although there are some people who will not show symptoms for months or even years. For others the symptoms may come and go making it hard to realize what you are going through, up one day down another.

If your symptoms start shortly after the incident but last longer than four weeks seek professional help from your doctor or a counselor. If you aren’t sure what you are going through keep a diary. Start writing down your feelings and the different things you are going through and talk to your doctor about it.

There is treatment for PTSD such as psychotherapy or counseling which involves meeting with a therapist. In doing my research I found that cognitive processing therapy can help you to understand how the trauma you went through changed your thoughts and feelings. If the therapy can help you change how you think about the trauma then it can change how you feel.

Another type of therapy is prolonged exposure which is when you talk about your trauma repeatedly. This would help you face what you went through and you would talk about the memories of it all until you are no longer being upset by them. If you can do this then you can get more control over your thoughts and feelings about what you went through. It puts you in control again not the trauma you experienced.

I am sure there are other techniques used but these were two I found. It is always best to talk to professionals and get their opinion on the best way to handle what you or your loved one is going through.

Of course there are always medications for PTSD but I am not someone who pushes medications as a first resort since I am always afraid of their side effects but again I am also not a professional and if your doctor feels it is the best way to go then you need to listen and follow orders.

One thing many people do not realize is even children can have PTSD with similar symptoms as adults and for some because of their age it is hard for them to express what they are feeling. A child under the age of 6 may get upset if their parents aren’t close by, like separation anxiety, or have trouble sleeping and even act out their trauma with they play so parents need to be aware of what their children are doing when they are playing and even drawing.

Children ages 7 to 11 may act out, have nightmares, tell stories, and become irritable and even aggressive at times. If they are being bullied in school they may try their hardest to avoid going to school or start having trouble with the school work and friends. Older children from 12 to 18 have similar symptoms as adults and often withdraw finding it hard to communicate. They can become reckless and turn towards alcohol or drugs as a form of hiding away. The need to get away, to protect themselves can cause them to run away.

PTSD is not easy to cope with and you don’t just get rid of it. It’s hard on your body so it’s important for you to take care of yourself and have as healthy a lifestyle as possible. You need to be sure to take time for yourself, relax, maybe meditate, take a yoga class or get a massage. I know people who find a walk or a workout at the gym helps them relieve their stress and brings them back within themselves.

There is not rule of thumb as to how long PTSD will last. For some they may find a way to work through it but for others it may last their entire life. We have so many veterans suffering from PTSD today and some don’t even realize it. There are still so many out there who haven’t even begun to seek help because they just don’t realize they need it but if you are a loved one of someone going through these symptoms then help them seek help and get on track so they can once again enjoy their life and not live in fear.

For the civilian who believes they are suffering from some kind of anxiety or perhaps PTSD go and see your doctor and if need be they will direct you to a counselor. If someone you love is suffering but does not see it for themselves then go with them to the doctor. Write down everything you noticed and talk to the doctor with your loved one there so you can help them understand they are not going through this alone.

Less than half of our veterans suffering from PTSD seek help. If you are a spouse of a veteran and are concerned he or she may be suffering from PTSD there is help through the VA of course but there is a Veteran’s and PTSD Crisis hotline you can call 866-382-2287. I will tell you from the veterans I have known they do not like to seek help through the VA or even a hotline but there is also the DAV who will help them as well as the wounded warrior project.

Of course if you are in crisis then call 911 but be sure to tell them the person you are calling about is suffering from PTSD, go to the nearest Emergency room and there is the Veterans Crisis line 1-800-273-8255 or if you have a computer on hand there is a website set up by the Veterans Crisis Line which is https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/ChatTermsOfService.aspx?account=Veterans%20Chat/

So for all those out there suffering from PTSD both civilians and veterans alike there is help out there and you are not alone. To all those who know of someone suffering remember they may not even be aware of it and need you to lend that hand so they can find their way out of the darkness and back to the life they were meant to be living.

May God Bless America and help heal all those wounded souls.